COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN 2
Career Family: COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
Communications Systems Technician 2 is a state or local title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
It is a middle Communications Systems Technician grade, between Communications Systems Technician 1 below and the better-paid Communications Systems Technician 3 above. On paper it calls for an associate's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $56,253 to $81,897, and state payroll currently lists about 10 people in the title, most of them at Law and Public Safety.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Communications Systems Technician 2 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Communications Systems Technician series
- Communications Systems Technician 1 — $56,253 – $81,897
- Communications Systems Technician 2 — $61,510 – $89,810 (this title)
- Communications Systems Technician 3 — $67,312 – $98,503
Promoting to Communications Systems Technician 3 raises the top of the band by about $8,693. Its top salary lands around the 22nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 10 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $85,386. The agencies employing the most are:
- Law and Public Safety (6)
- Transportation (3)
- Environmental Protection (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the limited supervision of the Communications Systems Technician 3 or other supervisory official, independently installs, tests, sets-up (configures), troubleshoots and repairs data and voice communication network hardware systems, including various peripheral devices and wiring systems associated with minicomputer, microcomputer or mainframe computer-based systems, Local Area Networks (LAN), and multi-line telephone systems and equipment; may function as a lead worker over lower level staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- May serve as a lead worker.
- Independently installs, tests, and repairs wiring systems.
- Fabricates cables or cable connectors.
- Installs inside cables and wires to connect data communication network hardware.
- Troubleshoots complex problems with wiring systems.
- Checks operation of Local Area Network (LAN) and related equipment.
- Provides guidance to lower level staff as and when required.
- Troubleshoots complex mechanical or electrical problems in minicomputer or mainframe hardware systems.
- Configures, maintains, and troubleshoots microcomputer, minicomputer, or mainframe data communication network hardware and equipment.
- Operates volt or ohm meters and signal tracers.
- Adjusts equipment to manufacturer's specifications.
- Installs, tests, troubleshoots, and repairs problems with multi-line telephone systems and equipment.
- Installs computer board components, electronic facsimile communications hardware, cables and wires to connect multi-line telephone systems and equipment.
- Troubleshoots computer voice communication hardware.
- Interprets blueprints or floorplans and schematics.
- Calls for needed services, materials, or information.
- Recommends the purchase of new and replacement materials, equipment, parts, and supplies.
- Inventories materials, equipment, parts, or supplies.
- Schedules maintenance and repair.
- Implements programs of preventive maintenance.
- Requests information from vendors on materials, equipment, parts, or supplies.
- Writes technical, statistical, or financial reports.
- Reads journals or other publications for the purpose of keeping abreast of developments in the field.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Completion of a vocational, technical, or specialized training program in computer technology, electrical technology, electronic technology, electronic engineering technology, telecommunications, computer operations, or data processing.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in work involving the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of electrical or electronic components, equipment or systems, which shall have included two (2) years pertaining to data and voice communications network hardware, related peripheral devices, and associated wiring systems.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the theory and principles of electricity. Knowledge of procedures for installing, testing, and repairing wiring systems, overhead cables, electrical components, underground cables, conduit systems, computer systems, and mainframe configurations. Knowledge of procedures for operating volt or ohm meters, voltage generators, voltage transformers signal tracers, and microwave meters. Knowledge of theory and principles of solid-state circuitry, electronics, and transistors. Knowledge of communications software and hardware for microcomputers, minicomputers, and microprocessors. Knowledge of physical operations and environmental standards for computer systems. Knowledge of methods and operation of data communication network hardware installation. Knowledge of theory and principles of solid-state circuitry, electronics, and transistors. Knowledge of procedures for testing electronic circuitry. Knowledge of procedures for installing computer board components and microprocessors. Knowledge of procedures for scaffolding and rigging equipment. Knowledge of procedures for investigating complaints. Knowledge of procedures for requisitioning materials, equipment, parts, or supplies. Knowledge of principles of report writing. Ability to operate hand and power tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, drills, and tools associated with electrical conduit and wiring work. Ability to interpret technical documents, blueprints, schematic drawings, operations, and maintenance manuals and procedures. Ability to assess, troubleshoot, and repair communications equipment and systems down to the component level and software line of code level. Ability to perform skilled shop work in the maintenance and repair of data and voice communications network hardware, related peripheral devices, and associated wiring systems. Ability to climb poles, bridges, or antenna towers. Ability to operate cherry picker, ladder, platform, or boom trucks. Ability to keep records and write reports. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate relevant information from various types of source materials. Ability to install, set up, and maintain security camera. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute one (1) year of additional experience (general or specific) as indicated below. An Associate's degree (or 60 college credits) from an accredited college or university in computer technology, electrical technology, electronic technology, electronic engineering technology, telecommunications, data processing, or closely allied field may be substituted for the required education and one (1) year of non-supervisory experience. SC4019N/AC20-CC351918C18- This job specification is for and government use. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 7/07/2018